Coming toward the camp is a mass of people, some leading horses carrying children or wounded. Others are carrying them on their backs or helping them walk. Most are only draped in blankets or whatever it looks like they could grab. All look to have blood, soot, and dirt covering them. Kara takes off running as Persi yells, “Karael Proudshard Cinderblade!” Kara slides to a stop as Persi catches up with her, “You made a promise. We don’t know what’s going on yet. You will stay here with Sylnoa while we find out.” Kara looks up at him like an admonished teen. Sylnoa steps over next to her, “We’ll wait here.” Everyone else runs toward the approaching crowd. Kara asks, “What do you see?” Sylnoa says, “Despair mostly. I recognize some of those people from Crossroads.”
Persi runs up to a man carrying an unconscious girl on his back. She can’t be more than four. The man is staggering; his feet are black from frostbite, and he collapses as Persi reaches him. Aran grabs the man as Persi grabs the girl. Aran says nothing and starts running for the tent with the man on his shoulder.
Persi checks the girl; she is shivering, and her lips are blue. Persi pours an elixir into her mouth. Some of the color to her returns, and he looks around. There must be at least a hundred people.
Kara says to Sylnoa, “If we have to wait here, make sure no one bothers me.” She sits down in the snow and closes her eyes; her hair starts to blow, and light starts to dance off her skin.
Aran runs past them into the tent with the man. Ava starts healing as much as she can, but it doesn’t last long. Shae and Lines are helping people as the last of their strength seems to fade. Aran runs back out of the tent and reaches for Kara, but Sylnoa grabs his hand and shakes her head, “She said to make sure no one bothers her.” The wind starts to blow, warm. Kara lifts off the ground as the clouds part, and the sun shines through. Aran backs up and looks to see where Ava and Persi are.
He runs to Ava, who is supporting two people and helping them with a boy on her back, barely holding on, “The man in the tent.” Aran takes the boy from Ava and places an arm around one of the people to help Ava move faster.
Sylnoa stands over Kara like a protective mother as she floats three feet off the ground. The wind is blowing harder and is most definitely warmer now. The clouds overhead are retreating like they are being chased away.
Shae brings the first of the people she has to the tent. She says the elvish word for fire, and a bonfire appears. She glances at Kara and runs back. Lines deposits some people next to the fire and then returns for more.
When Kara opens her eyes, they shine like twin suns. Summer heat bathes the area, and the snow rapidly turns to water as a hot wind blows.
Ava deposits the people with her and Aran as close to the fire as possible, then runs into the tent. Aran says, “He needs help.” Ava checks him, then shakes her head, “I think he was dead when they got here; his body just wouldn’t give up.” Persi comes in with the girl and lays her down. They see a definite semblance between the girl and the man; both have red hair and freckles. Ava covers the man and asks the girl, "What's your name?" The girl looks at her as if she doesn't understand, pointing at her ears. She runs over to the man Ava covered, hugging him and crying. But she says nothing.
Aran and Ava both Persi at the same time, “What happened?”
Persi says, “Someone said Crossroads was hit shortly after nightfall. That’s all I know right now.” Aran asks, “What is Kara doing?” Ava says, “Controlling and pushing back the cold front and allowing the sun's radiance through the clouds. Then she can help with the healing.” Outside, Sylnoa is directing people staggering around Kara, ensuring he isn’t disturbed. In normal circumstances, no sane person would bother her, but these people aren’t sane right now, and it’s giving her a headache. Aran throws open a portable hole, “We need to invest in blankets.” He jumps in and starts throwing out blankets. Ava starts picking them up and giving them to people, tossing a stack to Shae, “I thought we did.”
Everyone starts passing around water skins while Shae refills them in the wagon. She looks at Persi and motions him over, “Shae doesn’t think we will have enough.” Persi climbs on the wagon to look, “Can Shae see if she can find a water source?” She nods, leaps from the wagon, and hits the ground at a run. Kara touches down on the ground, and her eyes fade; the sun is shining, a warm breeze is blowing, and most of the snow is already gone. Sylnoa staggers. Kara is on her feet, and she catches her. Sylnoa says, “The pain and despair, I can’t block it all out.” Kara says, “Will it help if you link to me?” Sylnoa nods. Kara says, “Then do it. We need your help.” Sylnoa touches Kara’s mind and feels the focus and determination. There is nothing there but a driven desire to help. The headache subsides, primarily as Kara’s surface thoughts are nothing but triage. Who needs the most help now?
Sylnoa takes some blankets from Ava and starts handing them out. She looks around. These people wanted to tear her apart at Crossroads, but now they don’t even see her. A horrible thought occurs: “What if my old crew? No, they aren’t strong enough to do this.” Kara hears Arden’s voice in her mind: “Refugees from Crossroads reported headed toward Cragcall. Please tell me you weren’t there. Reports are a war band attacked after dark.”
Kara says, “No, a day or less away. Refugees with us, too, in bad shape. Doing what we can to help them.” Kara gives the minimum amount of healing she can to treat as many as possible; still, seven are dead that were being carried on horseback. She and Persi manage to pull three back from death, as their bodies give up when they arrive.
Aran carries the man’s body from the camp. The little girl doesn't want to let go until Ava picks her up and carries her away. Still, she reaches for the man, silently crying. He carries the other dead, too, and then returns to help. Shae returns, “Shae found a stream.” Persi says, “Empty a portable hole and fill it with water.” He looks in the portable hole.” There was nothing in this one besides the blankets, “Lines, you can stay. I’ll go with Shae.” Aran and Shae hastily fold up the portable hole and run, with Shae in the lead. Kara climbs up on the wagon and casts to create food and water. The barrel fills with water, and loaves appear on the wagon. Persi, Sylnoa, and Lines start passing them around. Persi asks Ava and Kara to tend to frostbite and other wounds. Kara asks Sylnoa, “See if you can figure out who is the best to get information from.” Sylnoa continues to pass out loaves as she looks for the most coherent person. Kara casts create food and water twice more. Sylnoa points to a dwarf sitting propped up next to a wagon wheel.
When she finishes with the frostbite and the worst of the wounded, Kara walks over to him with Sylnoa, squats, and checks him. “I’ll be fine, little missy. I saw what you, all of you, have been doing for us. You handle yourself like an old veteran, but,,,” Kara says, “I’m older than I look, and I just want to make sure you’re okay, too. Can you tell me what happened? We just left Crossroads yesterday.”
Sylnoa offers him her water skin and a loaf. He takes a drink and sits the loaf on his lap. “We were having a celebration to commemorate the thugs and the brothel being,,,” he looks at Sylnoa, “chased out. The sun had just gone down. Then there was an explosion and then another. People were running around. It was pure chaos. Horses were stampeding. I could hear swords clashing. I never got a good look, but I swear I saw elves and orcs attacking us, fighting side-by-side. We didn’t have time to do much more than run with the clothes on our backs. Then the weather went to shit. There were three times this number before the snow started.”
Sylnoa asks, “Did you see any banners? Was there anything to identify them?” The dwarf shakes his head, “Say, you look…” Sylnoa starts to say something, but Kara interrupts, “She gets that a lot. She’s got one of those faces everyone recognizes.” The dwarf looks at Kara, “Sorry, lass, I don’t know more.” Kara pats his shoulder, “You rest. We can talk later. If you remember more, ask for me. I’m Kara.” They leave the dwarf to rest. Sylnoa says, “I need a hood or something. Someone is going to recognize me.” Kara says, “Hide in plain sight. Someone may look too close if you try to cover your face. If someone recognizes you, we will deal with it. Just stay close to me. I hate to ask this of you, but do you think you can help the dwarf remember if he agrees to it?” She nods.
Kara calls everyone over when Aran and Shae return, “Arden contacted me; refugees are headed for Cragcall, too. Sylnoa and I talked to that dwarf over there. He said they were attacked after sunset. He thinks he saw elves and orcs attacking them. He also said there were three times this number before the snows hit.” Ava says, “We should have stayed.” Persi looks at her, “For what? So we could be among this group or lying dead somewhere. There were thousands of people in Crossroads.” Ava looks at the ground, “I’m just saying.” Kara says, “I understand, but Persi is correct. Those of us not dead would be fleeing somewhere, wondering where each one of us is.”
Aran says, “I need to bury the dead.” Lines tells Aran, “I’ll go with you, give them their rights and help.” Persi looks at Kara, “How long will this weather last?” Kara says, “I could feel a warm front coming in. This won’t last much longer, but it shouldn’t get too bad.” Persi says, “We need wood for fires; Kara, you and Ava are the strongest here; take the wagon if you need it. Shae, you, Sylnoa, and I will stay here and help them.” Sylnoa looks at Kara with a worried look. Kara says, “Persi, I think Sylnoa needs to come with me. Some of these people may recognize her. I can handle the wood. Let Ava stay. She has medical training.” Persi nods, “You’re right. The three of us can handle them from here. They can’t move today. We’ll need to keep fires through the night to keep them warm. Rest when you can. Watches will not be fun tonight.”
Kara and Sylnoa hook up the team, and the dwarf stands, “I’ll come with you.” Kara says, “Please rest, master dwarf, we’ve got this.” He shakes his head, “Grykam, Miss Kara. I’m going unless you knock me out.” He helps Sylnoa hook up the team while Kara unloads the remaining supplies. Then, he climbs in the back with a hand from Sylnoa as Kara takes the reins. Sylnoa feels him looking at her, trying to place her face, “My name is Sylnoa, Master Grykam. I wish we met under better circumstances.” Kara says, “Just a second, getting wood with my fists may not work too well.” She jumps down, runs into the tent, and returns with Misery. She tosses it into the back. The dwarf looks at the massive full blade and then at her. Sylnoa smiles, “Yeah, it’s weird.”
Grykam says, “I know who you are now. You’re one of those thugs that used to roll Crossroads.” He stands up. Kara looks at him, “Sit down.” Grykam says, “She’s a criminal.” Kara shakes her head, “No, they forced her into service. Now she’s free and my friend.” Grykam moves to the front, “I see how it is, a paladin of the Redeemer. You may forgive her, but I don’t.” Kara stops the wagon, “I’ll give you two choices, Master Grykam. The first choice is that you put the past behind you, and we will get the wood we need for tonight. The second choice is you get out so Sylnoa and I can get the wood we need for the night.” Grykam says, “If I get out, I’ll go back, and…” Kara says, “You can do what you feel is right. Neither I nor Sylnoa will stop you. Now, either shut up or get off.” Grykam sulls up and sits back down.
Sylnoa stares at the floorboards until Kara stops at a small wood. Sylnoa jumps out and offers to help Grykam, but he swats her hand away. Grykam looks at Misery, “That ain’t sharp enough to cut soft butter.” Kara pulls Misery from the wagon, walks over to the biggest tree, and shatters the trunk in one swing. She looks at Grykam, lifts the fallen tree, puts the end of it on the stump, and shatters it again about six feet from the base. Grykam and Sylnoa stand there staring. Kara says, “Start loading limbs and anything that burns; I’ll take care of the big pieces.” Both go to work. After Kara places the large pieces in the wagon to break up at camp, Grykam and Sylnoa climb up on the driver’s seat with Kara. Grykam says, “A lot of bards come through Crossroads.” Kara says, “Yeah, is this going somewhere other than complaining about Sylnoa?” Grykam says, “I won’t say anything more about that. But those bards, they sang songs and told tales about a legend.” Kara glares at him.
Grykam says, “Sorry, but as I said, it’s just a legend.” Sylnoa looks at him without making eye contact and meekly says, “What does the legend say?” Grykam says, “They all told tales about a little girl who carries a massive blade, and she fought The Dragon Queen. But I haven’t heard those tales in over a decade. You said you’re older than you look.” Kara says, “Bards are mostly full of shit and say anything that will get them laid.”
Sylnoa sees surface images from Kara, of her throwing herself against a nightmarish five-headed dragon as it rises from a pit, then of her tumbling in the void. Kara brings the wagon to a stop; they are already back. Kara looks at Grykam, “Master Grykam like I said, I won’t stop you from telling these people whatever you want. Know this: Sylnoa is not the person you think she is. Also, know this: she is my friend, and I will see that no harm comes to her. Clear?” Grykam looks at both of them, “I think I was mistaken; she does have a face that looks like everyone. Plus, these people have enough on their minds.” Kara smiles at him, “If you’re feeling up to it later, maybe we can help you remember more. We need to figure out why these raiders attacked and where they may head next.” Grykam nods, “You’re right. A little later.”
Kara throws the logs out of the wagon and then sits down to rest for a second before she unhooks the horses. Sylnoa sits next to her, “Those legends aren’t shit, are they?” Kara shakes her head. Sylnoa asks, “How does anyone face that and live?” Kara says, “I didn’t intend to live. At the time, I wanted it to end finally. My only regrets were my brother and the people that had died because of me.”
Sylnoa looks at her, “The other night when we went into that memory, there was more you held back, wasn’t there?” Kara sits staring into nothing, “After they dragged me back in, they continued to rape me on and off for days. They figured I wouldn't try anything since I saw how hopeless the escape was. They got complacent and didn’t bother locking me in.” Kara looks at Sylnoa and puts an arm around her, “I decided then that I would rather die, so I escaped again.”
Sylnoa looks at her, “You didn’t try to escape. You tried to kill yourself.” She nods, “I almost succeeded too. If you think these people look bad. Warden was so pissed. She had four guards executed, then she made sure I wished I had died.” Sylnoa says, “I’m sorry.” Kara smiles at her, “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do it to me.” Ava walks over, looking exhausted, “Sharing a moment?” Kara and Sylnoa hop off the wagon's tailgate. Changing the subject, Kara says, “Something like that. Do you think you can use Dawnbreaker as a firewood breaker?” Ava whines. Kara looks at her, and Ava says, “Paladins of The Dawn Bringer don’t whine, I know.”
Persi walks over, “Good news and bad news.” Kara says, “Always give me the bad first. I like to end on a good note.” Persi says, “I’ve been talking to some of them. Some remember an armored knight yelling, “Find my sister.” Kara staggers back against the wagon, and both Ava and Sylnoa grab her. Sylnoa gets images of Kara and a dark-headed boy playing, then images of the same boy, only as a man fighting her with killing intent. Persi says, “I’m sorry, I should have broken it gentler.” Kara says, “Anything has to be better news than that.” Persi says, “It’s two bits. Shae thinks the weather will hold, and between you and me, we should be able to create enough food for everyone to make it to Flamegarden.” Kara gives Persi a worried smile, and he looks at her. “What?”
Kara says, “If that was my brother, he could be hitting us any moment. We can hope he thinks we are headed back for Cragcall. That would be the smart choice. But my brother knows I always make the stupid choice.” Persi looks at the people, “There is no way they can move.” Kara frowns, “They either move or die.” Kara climbs on the wagon, slides out the firewood, and yells over everyone, “Listen up, people.” Some look. Kara looks down at Ava and points toward Dawnbreaker. Ava hands it to her. She hits Misery with Dawnbreaker. The sound of Dawnbreaker striking Misery rings out like a heavy city bell. Everyone instantly stops and looks; she yells again, “I hate to say this, but the people who attacked you last night are headed this way. The weakest go in the wagon; everyone else walks or rides.” There are lots of groans, but everyone stands. Kara says, “We leave everything here if it’s not edible, drinkable, or rideable.” She jumps down, “Please, friend, please don’t still be mad at me; I need you. These people need you.”
Fearless steps out of the ethereal, and several people step back in fear. Kara yells, “He’s friendly and can handle three or four people riding him.” Aran and Lines jog over. Aran says, “Why would they come here? These people have nothing.” Kara pulls him and Lines down to her, “They are coming after me. It’s my brother.” Aran says, “Shit.”
Kara holds her hand out, Chomasuke appears, and Kara yells, “Three more can ride the marrowfang stalker.” Aran says, “You said,” Ava says, “Not the time.” Ava grabs the water barrel and lifts it into the wagon and a crate with the food that remains. Persi gets up on the wagon, “The weakest in the wagon, Aran, you will have to ride the war horse, but you can probably handle two more—at least two people on each horse. Shae, I need you as far behind us as possible. Let us know if you see anything.” Shae gives a wave and runs in the direction of Crossroads. “Stay together, people; no one gets left behind.” They move out slowly within fifteen minutes. Kara walks to Persi, “Ava should be on the south flank, barely in sight, and me on the north…” Persi interrupts her, “No, you will be here. I will be on the north flank. That is an order.” Kara bows her head, “Then Lines to the south front and Sylnoa to the north front.” Persi says, “Sounds good, pass the orders around. Then you climb on the wagon.” She says, “You will have to court martial me because I will not take the seat away from one of them.” Persi says, “Then pass out the orders.” Persi walks past Ava, “South flank, keep an eye out and stay just within sight.” Ava nods and takes off at a jog. Someone asks, “Where is everyone going?” Grykam says, “Outwatch so they don’t sneak up on us.”
After she sends everyone out, Kara thinks, “At least her brother’s forces will be just as tired, and if we’re lucky, they will stop to rest.” The going is slow. She has people changing out, riding and walking. She must push these people into the ground to get them to safety. She keeps looking out toward the flanks and to the rear, but she can’t see Shae; then she hears Arden’s voice in her head, “Reports of an armored knight, looking for someone that sounds like you. Sisters not far from you on exercise, two days to meet.”
Kara replies, “My brother is hunting me. Force marching people toward Flamegarden. Nearly one hundred of us. Need help. I will not leave them.” Kara jumps up on a spot in the wagon, just big enough to stand, and yells, “Flamegarden and Cragcall are sending help, but we have to meet them before those monsters catch us people. I won’t leave anyone if you fall; I will carry you if I must.” Kara sees a woman stumble from exhaustion. She jumps down and carries her to the wagon. Grykam jumps off the driver’s seat and makes room for her after handing the reigns to someone else, “It was you, wasn’t it, lass?” Kara says, “Bard’s tales, Master Grykam, nothing more. How did that tale end?” He says, “Well, she sacrificed herself to save the world.” Kara spreads her arms, “I look very much alive, don’t I?” He says, “Well, yeah. But I’ve heard of people coming back from the dead. I’ve also heard of people going into hiding for a quiet life.” Kara says, “Do I look like I’m living a quiet life? I serve The Dawn Bringer. When I die, I will go to paradise in Elysium. Why would I come back from that?” He shrugs, “Well, I don’t,,, I give up. I still think it’s you, though.” Kara rolls her eyes, “You live in a fantasy world, Master Grykam.” Kara runs to someone else she sees stumble, puts an arm around him, and helps him walk.
By nightfall, the group is barely moving. Kara calls a halt. People collapse where they stop. She casts create food and water three more times. Persi, Sylnoa, Ava, and Lines come in, and Kara says, “We must stop for a rest. They can’t go on. I’ll be able to create food and water one more time; after that, it will be up to you, Persi.” Persi asks, “How long are we stopping.” Kara says, “An hour at the most. Have you seen Shae?” Ava shakes her head, “No one will see Shae unless she wants them to.” Kara says, “I need to tell these people we can’t stay long.” Persi says, “Sit down and rest.” He gets up on the wagon, “People, rest for an hour, then we move again.” Someone yells, “We can’t go on.” Persi says, “You can go on, and you will go on if you want to live. Eat and rest while you can. One hour. Ava, Lines, Sylnoa, get some food, fill your water skins, head back out, and keep your eyes open.” Aran says someone else can ride the war horse. I can take their place. Persi looks at them, “Sylnoa, take the war horse. Next time we stop, we’ll switch to Lines, then Ava.” Aran runs out to where Sylnoa was at.
Persi approaches Kara, “You should be taking a turn riding too. You can’t walk forever.” Kara says, “Watch me and try to keep up. I once walked across the frozen wastes of Anilvul and then fought a god. This is a stroll across a flowering field.” Persi fills his water skin and heads back out. Sylnoa tells Kara, “I’m still connected to you. You can fool him. You can’t fool me.” Two men start fighting. Kara runs over, grabs them, and pulls them apart. One of the men punches her in the face; she glares at him as he realizes what he just did, “Apologies, miss, he took,” Kara shoves her loaf into his hand. Sits him down and walks back. Sylnoa uses her sleeve and wipes the blood off Kara’s face, then tears her loaf in half and puts half in her hand. Kara says, “How could anyone ever hate you?” Sylnoa touches Kara’s cheek, then starts watering the horses. Kara helps her.
Kara climbs on the wagon an hour later. “Stand up, people. We’ve got to move.” Some start to stand, so Kara jumps down, dragging people to their feet. She gets back up on the wagon. “People, I walked nonstop for three days because giants tracked me. If I stopped, they would have caught me. I’m just a little girl. If I can do it, you can do it. NOW MOVE!”
Everyone starts moving again. Sylnoa sees no memories of that event; she does see a memory of a giant using Kara as a club and beating her mercilessly against the ground until she loses consciousness. That makes her recoil some. Kara continues to switch people between walking and riding. By morning, Kara has two children riding on her back, and she calls another halt. Sylnoa slides off the war horse and runs over to her as she sits the children down, “You need to sit.” Kara says, “I can’t let them see me tired.” Sylnoa puts herself in Kara’s face, “Your auras are weakening. Do-You-Understand-What-I’m-Saying? These people have been on the move for thirty-six hours. They must sleep, and if you don’t sleep,” Persi, Aran, Ava, and Lines come dragging in. Sylnoa says, “They need to sleep. If they don’t sleep now, those raiders will catch a bunch of passed-out people.”
Persi looks at Kara, and Kara nods. Persi says, “I’ll watch first, then Aran, then Ava,” he looks toward Kara, and Sylnoa shakes her head, “Then Sylnoa.” Kara casts create food and water, and then Persi casts it. Kara gets a loaf, sits down next to the wagon wheel, and is asleep after she has taken just a couple of bites. Sylnoa says to Persi, “You, Ava, and Aran sleep. Lines and I only need four hours, and we’re alert while meditating. We’ll wake you if we need you.” Persi nods. Sylnoa picks up Kara’s loaf so she can give it to her later. She tears her loaf in half and hands it to someone else.
Kara is alone on the plains. She’s been running for days. She stands and turns. Her brother is standing there, not two feet from her. She reaches out to hug him but can’t move toward him. Something is pressing against her, holding her back. She tries again. He smiles at her with rotted teeth. He looks down, then backs up at her. She looks down. He is holding a sword, and it’s going through her stomach.
Kara’s eyes come open as she inhales. She grabs her stomach, but nothing is there. She is sitting against the wagon wheel. It’s still daytime. She stands. Everyone is still asleep. She sees Lines patrolling around, and mentally, she calls for Chomasuke. She’s next to her instantly; Chomasuke doesn’t stop as she swings onto the saddle and is in motion, running all out for the rear. An arrow whistles in front of her face. She looks in the direction it came from and sees Shae’s hand motioning down.
She tells Chomasuke mentally, “Down.” Kara slides off and crawls to Shae. Shae points, and Kara sees smoke in the distance. Shae looks frazzled, but Kara puts it off to her being in constant motion, alone out here, watching for the raiders, “Shae got close to look. They just stopped to rest. At least two hundred of them.” A brief thought goes through Kara’s head to turn herself over to them, but then it’s gone. It’s not just her anymore, “Thank you, Shae.” Kara crawls back to Chomasuke and moves again back toward camp.
Seeing how fast Kara and Chomasuke are coming, Lines starts waking up everyone. Kara stands on the saddle, “We’ve got to go, people, now.” Everyone starts getting up and moving. Kara jumps down, calls Fearless over, and places five children on Fearless, “Take them to the ethereal to keep them safe if the raiders get too close, then come back and get more.” Fearless nods. “MOVE PEOPLE! THEY ARE OVER THE HORIZON! LINES, ARAN IN THE REAR. PERSI, ON THE WAR HORSE WITH AS MANY KIDS AS YOU CAN HANDLE, IF I SAY RUN YOU RUN. NO HEROES TODAY. CLEAR?” AVA, GET ON CHOMASUKE, AND YOU RIDE LIKE A DRAGON IS CHASING YOU. LOOK FOR APPROACHING FORCES FROM FLAMEGARDEN.” Sylnoa hands Kara her loaf, “What about me?” Kara says, “Help me watch these people. Tell me if you see anyone drop out.”
Kara picks up a child and puts her on her back. Ava is off like a bolt of lightning. There are no questions or complaints this time, no one panics, and they start moving with a new life. Ava thought Chomasuke had moved fast with her before. Now, Chomasuke is barely touching the ground. Ava doesn’t even try to guide her; she trusts her. She feels like she’ll be ripped off if she tries to look back. Tears stream from her eyes because of the wind.
Chomasuke touches the ground at forty-foot intervals, launching with each touch. Kara said her life depends on them finding help. She feels Ava bent forward in the saddle and holding on. Ava is trying to make herself a part of her by placing her head level with her shoulders and trusting her. She will do what was asked of her or die trying.
Shae crouches quietly in the tall grass, watching toward the raider’s camp. She hears a blade of dead grass crunch to the north; it could be an animal or something else. Without a sound, Shae moves toward it, “There, Shae saw the grass move.” Shae draws her daggers. She can’t let them get closer. If they do, they will see Kara escaping. “Shae sees you now. An Emberspine elf stalking toward the refugees.” Shae moves within ten feet of her prey, then leaps with both daggers out. The elf spins at the last second, fast enough to avoid having her throat laid open but not fast enough to keep from getting a deep gash from her shoulder, across her face, and nearly removing the bridge of her nose. She opens her mouth to scream and alert her allies. Shae shoves her offhand into the elf’s mouth to keep her from screaming as they go down together. The elf bites down hard, so hard she feels the teeth on her lower jaw break against the pommel of the second dagger, but they sink into the bone on the top of her hand. She shoves her dagger against Shae’s side and feels it go through her armor.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Shae grits her teeth as the elf bites into her hand, and then Shae feels a pinch in her side as a dagger sinks deep into her. She turns them onto that side to keep the elf from pulling the dagger back and using it again; simultaneously, she pushes her blade under the elf’s chin and shoves her other hand harder into the elf’s mouth. The elf grabs the blade of the dagger as the point makes contact with the flesh under her jaw; these blades are like razors; grabbing the blade is only a reflex to try to live. In reality, all it does is lubricate the blade with blood. Shae sees the Emberspine accept death as she looks her in the eyes. The Emberspine doesn’t stop fighting. She is determined to take Shae to the After with her.
Shae’s expression never changes; she looks at the Emberspine like she’s nothing more than prey as she pushes the blade up. The elf moves the dagger in Shae’s side around, sending shock waves of pain through her, but Shae pushes still harder. The dagger enters beneath the elf’s jaw, up through her mouth, through her own hand, and then into the brain. When it enters the brain, it gets easier to push as the Emberspine relaxes. Shae looks her in the eye until her light fades. Shae kisses her forehead, “Good night, sister, may the after be kind.” Shae crawls away and then stops to look at the dagger still embedded in her side. A millimeter higher, Shae would have been in the after, too. She pulls out a potion Persi gave her and drinks it as she removes the dagger. The wounds on her side and hand heal.
Lines sees a woman fall back, stumble, and fall in the grass. He runs in and picks her up. Her ankle is broken. He throws the woman over his shoulder and runs at full speed to the wagon. Kara starts to say something but stops. He deposits the woman onto the tailgate. There isn’t enough room, so he grabs a child and puts him on his back. Lines sees another struggling to keep up and moves to him, puts an arm around his waist, and helps him run. Sylnoa sees that Grykam is struggling. Sylnoa touches his mind; he’s too tired to resist, “You know that legend, it’s true, and if you want to find out whether it was her, you’ve got to get through this.” Grykam looks back at Sylnoa, then at Kara, who runs with that massive blade in one hand, a child on her back, and the other arm wrapped around a woman helping her run. “Ain’t no fucking way I’m not hearing this.” Suddenly, he feels his wind return; he straightens his back and starts running. Sylnoa sees another falling behind in Persi’s direction; she moves close enough to touch Persi’s mind, “One falling back, he’s close to you.” Persi sees him and moves closer, then casts enhanced ability on him to give him the endurance of a bear. He runs with newfound strength; he even grabs another person and helps them.
Shae sees the raiders moving in mass toward her. She leaps up and runs as fast as her legs will carry her. She isn’t trying to hide, but she’s hoping they think she is the elf they sent out. Even if they rode all out, their horses couldn’t catch Shaedove Windwatcher. When Shae thinks it’s been long enough for them to come across the body, she hears a horn sound behind her. Shae doesn’t stop. She keeps moving.
In the distance to the rear, everyone hears the horn sound. A new motivation pushes everyone to run faster. Kara’s heart beats so hard that she feels it in her head. She turns to look and sees Aran and Persi closing ranks; Lines is already there with a child on his back and pushing someone else. The horn sounds again, closer. Shae runs to Kara, “One mile back, on horseback.” Kara hands her child off to another person. Lines does the same, as he understands her intent. Kara yells at Grykam, “Don’t let them stop.”
Then Kara stops and turns, “None of you need to stay. There would be no dishonor in protecting them to the end.” Persi and Sylnoa stand behind Kara, Aran to her left, and Shae to the right. Kara looks at everyone and smiles, “Feels like old times. No one comes between my brother and I. Deal with the others with him.” The thunder of hooves can be heard. Lines pulls out a wand, “I hope all of us travel together.” Kara knows it has two meanings, “We travel together in life or death.” Kara looks back. She can barely see the refugees. Shae notches an arrow, aims, and lets loose. Then she starts firing as fast as she can. The lead horseman is wearing black full plate, riding a huge hellish sabretooth cat of some sort. Lines casts force missile through the wand until all charges are gone. Then Lines and Persi start with fire bolts as fast as they can cast. Sylnoa holds her hands in a diamond shape before her face and starts hitting them with psychic hammers. They haven’t fired an arrow; her brother just wants to ensure she isn’t killed. Kara feels for the compartment in her Girdle of Trials; the tiny vial is there. She will not allow herself or her daughter to be captured alive and taken to that monster or abused in another prison. Lines, Persi, Shae, and Sylnoa are knocking them from horseback. It’s making a difference. But her brother is the equal of all the raiders and her companions combined.
Kara opens herself to The Dawn Bringer. Her wings unfold from her back. Light explodes outward toward the enemy. She raises Misery for war. “Those who are beyond redemption, who revel in slaughter and remorseless evil, must be dispatched with swift justice.”
Aran steps in front of Kara and braces with the shield. Kara says, “Expect him to leap over and behind us. That is what I would do.” Aran looks at Kara with a knowing grin. Her brother’s black, broken wings appear as he closes.
Lines slices his hand with the Talon, then flings the blood into the enemy ranks. A small sun appears, burning many of them to ash. Kara drops a radiant beam on her brother’s mount as the sabretooth he’s riding leaps. Persi casts a web, causing many to go over. Lines flings another drop of blood into another group, spawning another sun.
Aran moves behind Kara and braces. He sends a pulse from the shield as the sabretooth lands exactly where she predicted, sending them sliding back. The thunder of the hooves, hiss of radiance, fireballs, blades flashing and slashing. Through all this, Kara sees only one, her brother. “You’ve never beat me at anything, brother. Even as children with games, I always win against you.”
He slides off the saber tooth with his great sword. Kara sees the black, oily shadows crawling around on the blade. “The first time we met like this, I took your armor. I think I’ll drop that blade into a star this time.” She pushes past Aran.
Her brother swings one, two, three times at her; she isn’t where his blade is at any one of them. Kara brings the flat of Misery against his armor with a swing that creates shock waves. He flies back, landing on his back. Kara is on him before he can recover, bringing Misery down on him again. Aran tries to move to her but is blocked by the sabretooth raking him across the legs.
Her brother jumps up to his feet in his armor and swings again, this time cutting her across the thigh. Kara feels some of her life drain. The pain causes her to turn slightly, allowing him to land a second hit across her back; again, the blade drinks in life. She gets Misery up to stop the third hit.
A hoof hits Sylnoa, knocking her to the ground and out. Aran braces and sends a pulse from the shield, knocking back the sabretooth, hitting several more raiders on horseback, and unhorsing them all. Swords cut at his legs and arms.
Persi sends out a mass healing word to his friends. Shae is on a horseman’s shoulders, stabbing over and over with blood spraying everywhere. Lines steps away from the group and a cloud of daggers appears around him, swarming like angry bees, slashing at everything nearby.
Kara lifts Misery to go at her brother again, and roaring columns of fire appear all around. A massive something charges past her blowing her hair in the direction of its movement, taking her brother with it. The raiders turn their attention from Aran, Kara, Lines, Persi, Shae, and Sylnoa to the new threat.
Gigantic dire bears, ridden by armored women, wielding weapons and spells. The raiders break and run as more spells hit them in retreat. Those on foot go to their knees, dropping their weapons. The triceratops turns with Kara’s brother; it lowers its head and uses him as a plow.
There is a shock wave of thunder that nearly sends the triceratops over, and her brother is gone. Kara looks around and sees him appear. Then, he is gone again in a column of fire. The sabretooth leaps over several bodies and runs. Persi kneels beside Sylnoa lifts her head and pours an elixir into her mouth. She opens her eyes. Persi chuckles, “You shouldn’t sleep in the middle of a battle.”
Chomasuke and Ava jump on a fleeing horseman, driving him to the ground. Aran hears the crunch of his skull from fifty feet away. Shae fires arrows at the runners until she reaches into an empty quiver and then screams in frustration.
Kara limps over to Sylnoa and kneels, “You okay, sleepy head?” Sylnoa looks up at everyone, “Well, either, we’re all dead.” Lines looks down at her and smiles, “Or we…” She sees the armored female dwarf sitting atop a triceratops, “WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?” Aran says, “I know, right? It’s awesome.” Kara holds a hand out to Sylnoa and helps her stand as her wings fade to dust.
The dwarf looks down at her, “Let’s see, blonde seraphin, who can’t keep herself out of a fight.” she slides down the side of the triceratops and lands at Kara’s feet, looking at her, nearly at eye level, “you must be Kara.” Kara looks at the dwarf, “You must be Sister Stoutstorm.” A wave of pain surges through Kara as black veins appear on her neck. She drops Misery and goes to a knee, holding her throat. Everyone reaches for her, but Sister Stoutstorm is the one who grabs her before she falls. The Sister looks at Kara, sees the black veins, and then looks to the others. Persi says, “It was the sword.” Sister Stoutstorm lays Kara on her back and places a hand on her chest. Her eyes glow bright with power. A pulse of energy radiates from her hand and pulses through Kara. The black veins retreat. Everything fades from Kara’s vision. Voices sound muffled and distant. Someone is yelling…..
“Hey, sleepy head, are you going to sleep all day?” Kara opens her eyes. Gaelan is flicking water at her from his cup. She grabs a pillow and throws it at him. He dodges it and laughs, “Come on, the day is finally here.” Kara’s eyes go wide, and she jumps up on the bed, “Shit.” She covers her mouth and looks to see if her mothers heard. He laughs again, “They are at the kitchens preparing the feasts, silly. Let’s go. Get ready.”
She rips off her night slip and pulls her pants up; her shirt hits her in the head. She slides it on, then looks for her boots and ducks just in time for them to fly over her head. She pulls her boots on and runs past Gaelan, “Hey, wait.” She slides to a stop at the table, sticks her finger in a jar, and dips it in the fresh honey, “If moms see you doing that…” She sticks her finger in her mouth, “They’re at the kitchens, remember, and you won’t tell.”
She laughs and runs out the door, with Gaelan running behind her. Everyone is already up and preparing for the festival, carrying kegs of mead and ale, candies, and roasting deer and boar. Gaelan catches her. She grabs his hands and swings him around. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees someone she doesn’t recognize and stops to look. Gaelan stops and looks where she is looking, but whoever it is, she doesn’t see her now, “What are you looking at, silly?” She shakes her head, “Nothing.” Then she smiles and runs toward the dining area. Hopefully, there is some breakfast left. Inside, she grabs a sausage and some milk, then leans up against a table to eat.
Owarr waves at them and says, “Happy Harvest Day and name day to both of you.” Kara smiles with a full mouth and sees her again, standing behind Owarr. She looks at Kara and says something but does not make any sound.
Sylnoa kneels at Kara’s head, holding her head between her knees and both hands resting on her forehead. Everyone is either kneeling or standing, staring down. Chomasuke is crouched and stalking around in a bad mood. Sister Stoutstorm stands behind Sylnoa, “What is going on, girl.” Sylnoa says, “She is deep in a memory. I’m trying to get to her. The memory is good right now, but I don’t think it will stay that way. This feels bad, very bad.”
Persi asks, “What can we do? There has to be something.” Sylnoa looks at them, “I’m almost drained. I don’t have much left.” Sister Stoutstorm places both hands on Sylnoa’s back, “Brace yourself, girl.” Sylnoa looks over her shoulder, “Wha….” Power pulses through her. Her eyes shine like beacons. She feels like she’s about to burst.
She stands in an open dining hall; Kara and a younger version of the man she was fighting are there. Kara looks at her, “Who are you?” Through her, the boy looks in Sylnoa’s direction, “Who are you talking to, silly?” Kara points, “Don’t you see her.” The boy looks again, “No one is there, silly; maybe that shirt hit you harder than I thought; did you have rocks in it to throw at me? Maybe your hunger is driving you mad? You eat. I’m going to go help with the preparations.” The boy looks through Sylnoa again, shakes his head, and runs off.
Kara asks again, “Who are you.” Sylnoa says, “Can you see and hear me now.” Kara nods and puts the sausage down like it may be bad. Sylnoa walks over to her, “Kara, you’re in memory; we need to get you out. Do you know who I am?” Kara looks at her and shakes her head. “I’m Sylnoa, your friend. We were just in a big fight, and you were hurt.” Kara looks at Sylnoa, “You and I fought?” Sylnoa shakes her head, “No, you fought your brother. He hit you and his sword. It did something to you.” Kara looks past Sylnoa at her brother as he runs off, “What’s a sword?”
Sylnoa reaches out to touch her, Kara recoils from the touch, and Sylnoa stops, “Kara, you need to trust me. This is a memory. It’s already happened. Please, take my hands, and we can leave.” Kara steps away from the table and away from Sylnoa, “No, I don’t know who you are.” Some of the others are staring at Kara. She looks around. All of them are looking at her, not the strange person in front of her. Sylnoa says, “Kara, this is your home. Where it all began. We need to leave before…” Kara looks terrified; she yells, “BEFORE WHAT?” and then steps further away.
Sylnoa looks around. The people staring at Kara are covered in black veins, “Kara, please. I’m your friend. You saved my life. Please,,, let me help you. Your full name is Karael Vala Elyslynn Proudshard, and you love mead and singing.” Kara stops backing away. Sylnoa continues, “You dream of one day passing your name on, having a family, and being a hunter. Your friends adore you, but you have a habit of getting into trouble. Then your brother gets you out.” Kara holds her hands in front of her, “Sylnoa?” Sylnoa smiles with tears streaming down her cheeks, “Yes, Kara. I’m Sylnoa, please take my hands.” The people are getting closer.
Kara reaches out for Sylnoa’s hands, her eyes open. Everyone is standing over her with relieved expressions, “Shit,” Sylnoa starts to fall over on top of her, but Sister Stoutstorm catches her.
Ka'Amos stands beside Gaelon, watching the Sisters of Veleris in the distance; they swarm around the battlefield, taking prisoners or finishing off the ones who don’t surrender. He says to Gaelon, “I pushed her hard that time. The half-elf is a mystic, too. She pulled her out. If I push harder, it may kill her.” Gaelon looks at him, “We hold back for now. I’ll pick another off soon. You push her again, then. If need be, brain death will work. The boss needs her body alive until that baby squirts out.” The cloaked figure says, “It’ll be a shame to waste that body. I miss its taste.” Gaelon laughs, “If she’s brain-dead, at least it’ll be warm.” Kaa'Amos chuckles and vanishes.
Kara tries to sit up, but her body has no strength. Ava reaches under her and picks her up. Kara says, “This is embarrassing.” Ava says, “Then learn to stay out of fights.” Kara lays her head on Ava’s shoulder and closes her eyes. When she opens her eyes, she lies on furs next to Sylnoa, who is still unconscious. This time, she can sit up. Ava is leaning against a tent pole, dosing, and Shae has her back turned, staring out the tent door. Shae turns when she hears the blankets rustle, runs, and kneels beside her, “Kara shouldn’t be moving around. Shae is concerned.” She smiles at Shae as Ava’s eyes come fully open, “Kara feels fine, Shae. What happened?”
Ava says, “You got into another fight you should have avoided.” Kara says, “Ava, I couldn’t have avoided this one. They would have ridden over Shae and everyone else to get to me and the refugees,” Ava says, “I know that, but you could have fought defensively. But, no, you went all out against him.” Kara looks at her like a kid caught with her finger in the honey jar, “You’re right, I was wrong. Old habits are too hard to break. I only know how to fight one way, head-on, and as hard as I can.” Ava moves over and wraps her in a hug. Kara mumbles, “What happened?” Ava sits back, “Those black veins were crawling all over you again…” Kara grabs her stomach. “The baby is fine. Sister Stoutstorm checked. After Sylnoa pulled you out, you passed out when I was carrying you. It scared the shit out of me.” Kara says, “I was home in the village. I didn’t want to leave. It was the day,,, Sylnoa was there trying to help me get out. I almost didn’t come with her, but she was insistent.” Kara puts a hand on Sylnoa’s forehead and looks at Ava and Shae. Shae says, “Sylnoa was so tired. Sylnoa didn’t have the strength to get to Kara. Sister Stoutstorm lent power to Sylnoa. Shae’s never seen anything like it.” Ava says, “She just needs rest.”
Kara stands on shaky legs, and Ava and Shae help support her. Outside, Crownsguard and Sisters move around with refugees. Kara squints, “How long was I out?” Ava says, “Two days.” Some refugees see Kara and start coming over, “Thank you, Miss Kara,” “We’d all be dead if not for you.” each offers their hands and bows their heads. Kara greets each one, but Ava feels her legs relaxing and her getting heavy. Ava says, “Thank all of you, but she needs to rest now.” Ava and Shae help her back into the tent. She sits beside Sylnoa and strokes her hair, “She came and got me. It was the day my life changed. I don’t know what would have happened if I had to go through that again, alone.” Shae says, “Shae’s people do memory walks to remember the people we have lost.” Kara looks at Shae, “This was a little different, Shae. Kara was then. The now no longer existed for Kara. Only this was deeper; Kara didn’t know,” Shae says, “Shae understands; Kara need not remember.” Kara smiles. Ava says, “I had better go get the others. They wanted to know the second you or Sylnoa woke. Oh, Sister Stoutstorm, she’s a fireball.” Ava leaves the tent. Kara looks at Shae. Shae makes an explosion sign with her hands, “Boom.”
Ava finds Aran with the mounts, ogling the triceratops, as usual. Lines is talking to some Crownsguard mages, and Persi is in Sister Stoutstorm’s tent, talking to her. When she tells Persi, the Sister insists on coming too, and Ava knows better than to say anything to dissuade her. When Aran and Lines see her coming, they step aside and let her lead the way, and the rest follow. Everyone between the Sisters' and Kara’s tent parts ways. She barges into the tent like she’s attacking a dragon. She stops at the door, places her hands on her hips, and glares. Kara sets there as Shae moves aside; Kara starts to feel like a Sasha-level ass chewing is about to erupt, then Sister crosses the tent, hugs her, and then starts checking her, pinching her cheeks, feeling her forehead, “Child, you scared us all. I thought I had lost you and was not looking forward to talking to Arden.”
She looks at Ava, “And this kitten came running at us on that marrowfang stalker like the armies of Hell were chasing her. We tried to make her hang back and rest with the supply wagons, but there was no doing that. Hells, we had to keep yelling at her to slow down. I need to put the other Sisters on those beasts. She was running circles around the bears. Then I had to threaten to lock the rest of them up to make them leave your side.” She places a hand on Sylnoa’s forehead, checking her, “If it weren’t for this one, I’m afraid I could have done nothing more than keep your body alive. You’ve got a good band here, no, a great band.” Kara looks at everyone, “Thank all of you.” Sister Stoutstorm looks at Lines, “Why are you still standing there? Get her some food. Now, boy.” Lines stutters, looks back and forth, then darts out of the tent, “I swear. Now, how are you feeling?”
Kara says, “Better, there’s something about that sword, it hits….” Sister Stoutstorm says, “It’s called Night Talon. It was forged in Hell and is made from Shadow Steel. I’ve had my Sisters looking into it since I healed you.” Persi says, “It gets worse.” Kara looks back to Sister Stoutstorm, “It already doesn’t sound good. A named weapon, made it Hell from something called Shadow Steel?” The Sister glares at him, “I discussed not telling you.” Kara says, “We have a policy of no secrets.” Sister Stoutstorm kicks a pebble lying on the ground, “It’s not just a named weapon; it’s an artifact from the War of the Old Gods forged by the King of Lies himself. It takes control of its wielder and forces them to serve it.”
Kara says, “Well, that’s good. Right? I mean, if it’s forcing my brother to serve, then may…” Sister Stoutstorm is already shaking her head, “I’m sorry, Kara, it consumes the wielder's soul and replaces it with its own will. It has your brother’s memories, but that’s where it ends.” She lays a hand on Kara’s shoulder, “I’m sorry. I’m also sorry that’s not all.” Kara looks at her; she feels chilled, “When that thing cuts someone, it leaves a piece of itself in them, draining them, feeding on them.” Kara subconsciously covers her stomach. “Don’t worry, I removed its effects from you this time. It took a very powerful remove curse to do it. It had been feeding on you since the first time it cut you before you got to Cragcall. Kara covers her mouth, realizing something, “Oh Gods, Crossroads, that was my fault, wasn’t it?”
Persi very quickly says, “No, we don’t think so. I mean, yes, they were looking for you there. But we’ve been questioning the prisoners. They had been planning to hit Crossroads for a while. At most, they moved up their time frame, hoping to catch us.” Sylnoa softly says, “How is anyone supposed to sleep around here.” Kara wraps her arms around Sylnoa and kisses her cheek, “Thank Elirae, you’re awake.” Sylnoa looks around the tent, “I didn’t think I was this important.” Sister Stoutstorm laughs, “Girl, you’re way more important than you give yourself credit for. Yeah, I already know you were a part of those thugs rolling Crossroads. Yeah, you’ve already been pardoned completely.” Sylnoa looks at Kara. Kara shrugs, so she looks around the tent. Ava, Aran, Persi, and Shae all nod.
Sylnoa looks at Sister Stoutstorm, “Please warn me before you do whatever you did the next time.” Sister Stoutstorm laughs again, “Would you let me do it again?” Sylnoa looks at her friends and nods, “If it means saving them.” Sister Stoutstorm says, “All of you rest up; tomorrow, we leave for Flamegarden. We’ve been waiting for the two of you to wake because I didn’t feel good about moving either of you.” Sylnoa says, “How long have we been out.” Kara holds up two fingers, “Sylnoa says. “Two hours?” Everyone shakes their heads, and Sylnoa says, “Two days? Gods, I’m starving.” Lines walks back in with a plate of food. Sister Stoutstorm looks at him, “Only one plate?” He hands the plate to Persi, turns, and leaves again.
Shae laughs when Lines runs out of the tent. Sister Stoutstorm glares, “What are you laughing at, girl? I don’t see any water or juices in here for them.” Kara has not seen anything or anyone that affects Shae, but Shae leaves so fast that the only trace of her is some dust floating in the path she took. Sister Stoutstorm smiles, “I’ll be going now. I’m sure someone somewhere needs to be yelled at.” Kara watches the force of nature, Sister Stoutstorm, leave, thinking that if she ever meets Sasha, a continent may sink. Persi says, “Yeah, she’s something.” Kara says, “I remember the Sisters arrived, then whatever happened happened. What happened to the raiders?” Aran says, “We managed to make a serious dent in them. Not enough to save the refugees, but enough to hurt them. The Sisters rode in on dire bears, calling down all manner of spells, decimating what was left of them. Not a single refugee was touched.”
Ava clears her throat, “And Ava and Chomasuke tore into their fair share of them. In the end, only about ten or so escaped on horseback. The sisters took some twenty-ish prisoners, and most of them just gave up. Your brother escaped.” Shae eases the tent flap open and peeks inside, then walks in with some mugs and a couple of pitchers of juice and water. She sits them down and makes that explosion sign again, “Boom,” Sylnoa asks, “Why is Shae so afraid of Sister Stoutstorm?” Shae looks around like she’s making sure no Sisters are near, “Shae tried to make the Sisters take you to Flamegarden, but Sister Stoutstorm disagreed with Shae. Shae has never been yelled at like that before.” Persi says, “She expects her orders to be followed to the letter. She doesn’t put up with any arguments.” Kara says, “I like her.” Sylnoa touches Kara on the back, “We need to talk.”
Aran, Ava, Persi, and Shae all stand to leave. Guessing what it’s about, Kara says, “Ava, please stay.” Lines walks in as everyone is going. Persi says, “Leave it and return to whatever you were doing.” Lines sets the plate close to Sylnoa, bows his head, and leaves. Ava sits back down next to the support pole. Kara and Ava look at Sylnoa. Sylnoa runs her fingers through her hair, nervously, “Kara, that memory, I’m sorry, it looked like a happy memory from what I saw, but I felt something horrible there.”
Kara starts to say something, but Sylnoa places a finger on her lips, “Let me finish, please.” Kara sits back and looks at Sylnoa. Ava raises an eyebrow, amazed that someone just shushed Kara. Kara pours herself a juice as Sylnoa continues, “That was the second time you were lost in the past, unable to recognize reality from memory. I almost couldn’t get you to come back with me. The people reaching for you. From what the Sister said, I think they were the sword, and if they had gotten to you, I feel they would have taken you forever.” Kara hands Sylnoa a mug of juice. Ava asks, “What do we do?” After Sylnoa downs the mug. Sylnoa says, “I think we can place a word or a phrase in your mind that anyone can say to help you find your way out. I don’t know what that will be. It would have to be something you know would be a trigger with meaning.” Ava says, “Slimy and naked.”
Sylnoa looks at Ava as Kara starts laughing. Sylnoa looks at Ava, a bit confused. Ava says what Kara said to think of when the world seems like it wants to swallow me, and everything gets overwhelming. Well, not that exactly for me, but something funny happened in your past. For her, it’s slimy and naked.” Sylnoa looks at Kara, “Can I see the story behind this? I don’t think it can properly translate?” Kara stops laughing, “Sure, can Ava see it too?” Sylnoa looks at Ava.
Ava asks, “Are you feeling well enough?” Sylnoa nods, “I’ve been asleep for two days. I think I can handle it as viewing and sharing a memory. Worst case, I can’t, and stop the connection. This isn’t like forcing my way into a memory to drag someone out.” Ava asks, “What do I do?” Sylnoa replies, “Sit next to Kara. I’ll hold your hands. Kara, you think of that memory. Ava, you clear your thoughts and think of the shade black.” Ava sits down next to Kara and closes her eyes; she feels Sylnoa touch her forehead while she pictures a black wall in front of her.
The black wall becomes a ruin of some sort. In front of her, she sees Valas, Whelp, and a bugbear. Valas comes back up some stairs, “The hall down there is scoured clean.” Whellp makes a wisecrack, “It looks like they hired some dungeon maids. Good to know they’re doing their job.” He turns to Kara, and then Kara turns and looks behind her. She sees Donjo, Thomas, carrying a lyre, dressed like a dandy, and Malachi in the back. She looks back to Whelp and Valas, “I don’t like this. Dungeons don’t clean themselves.” Whelp shrugs, “It’s probably a trap of some sort. Standing here won’t get us anywhere.” Valas heads back down to the bugbear at the bottom of the stairs. Valas and the bugbear cautiously walk down the left corridor, testing the floor and looking at the walls. Kara walks next to Whelp, “Whelp, be ready…..”
A wave of some sort spills from a corridor to the left. Valas tumbles back, but the bugbear is engulfed. Kara and Whelp charge forward. Kara swings Misery, but it does little to nothing to the ooze. It surges over Kara. When her vision clears, she looks down. Her clothes are gone, and she’s standing there naked, with nothing but Misery in her hands and covered in slime. Whelp runs in, wraps his arms around her waist, and flings her out, throwing her down the hall toward the others. Kara stands up between Thomas, Donjo, and Malachi, covered in slime and naked, all of them looking at her with “What the fuck.” expressions. Ava’s mother calls for her. Ava looks down at the floor covered in….
Sylnoa breaks the connection, “Ava, what? Are you okay?” Ava puts her hands to her face, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Kara says, “It’s okay. Are you alright? Who, when?” Ava says, “Your memory made me think of a time. I’m sorry.” Sylnoa asks, “Was it a good memory?” Ava nods, “I don’t know how old I was. I thought I was old enough to make my cereal and spilled milk all over myself. My mother heard the jug splash, and she yelled for me. I thought I was in so much trouble, but she dried me off, laughed, and put me in the tub for a bath. I guess it was my happy, slimy, and naked.” Kara asks, “What was your mother’s name?” Ava says, “Nielista.”
Kara says, “That’s a beautiful name, Ava. What did your mother do?” Ava starts to tear up again, “She was a scientist. She studied the stars. She would point them out to my brother, sister, and me and tell us their names, and tell us that they are starting to find planets around those stars and maybe there are other little boys and girls on those planets, looking at our star wondering if there are little boys and girls on our planet.” Sylnoa crawls next to Ava and puts an arm around her, “I don’t know what a scientist is, but I know what stars are. She sounds like she is a great mother.” Ava says, “Was.”
Sylnoa shakes her head and places her hand over Ava’s heart, “Is.” This makes Ava start crying full-on. Between the sobs, Ava says, “She named a star she discovered after me, Avallie’s Star.” Sylnoa says, “If you want, we can…” Ava looks up at her, “Can we see if I can remember something about what happened or how it happened?” Sylnoa looks at Kara and back to Ava, “It could be painful Ava.” Ava shakes her head, “I don’t care. I need to know what happened.” She looks at Kara, “Can Kara come?” Sylnoa nods. Kara says, “Sylnoa may need to rest.” Sylnoa shakes her head again, “No, I’m actually feeling great, just hungry.” Ava dries her eyes, “At least eat first, then we can try.”
Sylnoa picks up the plate of food, “While we eat, you lay down on the fur and think about home, the sounds, the smells, the things you saw every day.” She looks around, picks up a candle, drips some wax into her hands, and then forms the wax into two balls. “Put these in your ears so there are no distractions. Listen to your heartbeat. When I’m ready, I’ll hold your head between my knees and place my hands on your forehead. Okay?” Ava sits on the fur, presses the wax into her ears, lays back, closes her eyes, and focuses on the sound of her heartbeat, the perfume her mother used, and the voices of her brother and sister.
Kara asks Sylnoa, “Are you sure you’re up for this?” While they eat. Sylnoa says, “She’s finally opened up, I’m ready. I know her world is different from anything I’ve ever imagined. Is there anything I need to know?” Kara shrugs, “It was a tech world of little or no magic. They relied on science and technology. You’ll see buildings that scrape the sky and carriages without horses. I’ve been to a few. I prefer magic. If I remember correctly, infernis were the only sentient race on Ava’s world. Rowan's sister, Ziri discovered it, so we named it after her.” Sylnoa says, “Tech sounds strange. Do you know anything about what happened?”
Kara says, “Something on that world created undead on a massive scale. When we found the portal to that world, our seers said they sensed a powerful artifact there. But we were too late. We stepped onto a death world overrun with undead. We were about to leave when I saw Ava. At first, I thought she was an intelligent undead, but when I got closer, I saw that she was just a little girl, and she had the same look in her eyes that I used to see when I looked in a mirror.” Sylnoa gives Kara a curious look. Kara says, “She was looking at me like she wanted to die. I had hit some of the undead with radiant beams. When I saw her, I almost turned her to ash; she just stood there and held her arms out, waiting, wanting it to strike her. I should have kept her closer to me at Nexus.” Sylnoa touches Kara’s hand, “But she reminded you of yourself, and being an inferni didn’t help, even if you didn’t realize that then. Mirrors can be difficult to look at when trying to forget yourself.”
Kara and Sylnoa finish their meal silently, giving Ava time to search her memories. When they’re done, Sylnoa says, “I’ll kneel at Ava’s head. You make yourself comfortable behind me, and when you’re ready, place your hands on the back of my neck and clear your mind. You’ll see and hear,” Sylnoa sees Kara getting a worried look and shakes her head, “I can take it a step further; we’ll be standing outside of Ava, seeing her world with her memories of it.” She sees Kara look relieved. “We won’t be able to interact with them at all. If I say we go, we go. No questions asked. Okay?”
Kara nods and waits for Sylnoa to position herself, rubs her hands together to warm them up, and then places her hands on Sylnoa’s neck at the base of her skull. Sylnoa removes the wax from Ava’s ears, “Try to think about any events you heard of that seemed important before everything went bad.” Ava says, “I think I’m ready.” Sylnoa touches Ava’s forehead.
Ava, Kara, and Sylnoa are standing in a large room with glass walls. Sylnoa looks over her shoulder and sees a cityscape of lights before her, unlike anything she has ever imagined. Then she looks down. Far below are great ropes of moving lights between the buildings. It is radiant, beautiful, and looks like a place gods would live. Sylnoa jumps away from the window, realizing she is thousands of feet up. Ava says, “Everything here is made of glass and steel. This was my home.”
Sylnoa looks around the room. The floors are marble, the shelves are beautiful polished wood, and the ceiling glows. They hear laughter in the next room. Ava wipes tears from her eyes. Kara puts an arm around her, “Your home, it’s beautiful.” Ava sniffles her nose, “It’s the penthouse in this building. We were very well off. Mom and Dad were both scientists. Mom studied the stars and worked out all kinds of math. Dad was a doctor,,, a healer, and he studied ancient things, but he didn’t use magic.” Kara asks, “Are you ready.” Ava nods, and Kara keeps an arm around her as they enter the next room. A very young Ava and two other children sit in front of a rectangular, flat piece of glass, watching images move with lots of over-exaggerated sounds. Some furry animal is being chased by an inferni, wearing a large hat and carrying a gun.
Sylnoa walks over and looks at it. Ava says, “It’s a vid, we used them for entertainment.” Words scroll across the bottom of the screen, but neither Kara nor Sylnoa can read them. Ava wipes her eyes, “You need napkins or something in these memories. It says, “Archaeologists discover ancient mummy in ziggurat beneath in Khalzis.” Sylnoa says, “Can you think of anything later? We can jump forward in…” She sees Ava kneeling in front of the children, watching herself play with her younger siblings. Ava starts sobbing, then chokes out the words, “I murdered them.”
Kara kneels in front of her and looks at Sylnoa. Sylnoa nods to her. Kara gently puts her hands on either side of Ava’s face to get her to look her in the eyes, “Ava, you didn’t…” Ava yells, “I DID. I MURDERED THEM!”
Sylnoa says, “Enough for now.” She removes her hands from Ava, and they are all back in the tent. Ava sits up, still crying, “Don’t tell me I didn’t. I could have refused to choose them.” Kara says, “Then you would have been dead with them.” Sylnoa sits down so her back is against Ava’s. Kara moves in front of Ava and kneels so Ava’s knees are between her legs, “Ava, I was that monster once. It would have taken your brother or sister and tried to get them to do the same. There was no winner.” Ava continues to sob, “At least I would be dead and with them.”
Kara puts her arms around her and holds her, “I have no answer. I’ve thought the same thing so many times. We go on, and we try to make new memories. We live for them.” Sylnoa says, “We’re a pretty fucked up little group, aren’t we?” Ava lifts her head and wipes her eyes; Kara says, “It’s amazing we’re alive.” Kara gets off Ava’s legs and sits with her back to their shoulders, “Maybe it’s a blessing, a sign that we have more important things to do. The world needs both of you. I need both of you.” Aran sticks his head in the tent, sees all three wiping their eyes, then quietly backs out.